‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord’
Topping up your oil & trimming your wick January 2026
As we enter 2026 may we experience the comfort and reassurance of the Lord God Almighty, knowing He is sovereign and rules over the affairs of mankind, bringing the world to His predetermined plans and purposes. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 1 Thess 5:4-5 As Jesus said, I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:46 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. John 3:19
Satan’s darkness has been manifested through the continuing scourge of Anti-Semitism, events of the 14th of December at Bondi beach with the murder of 15 Jewish people as they celebrated Hannukah is a reminder of the ever-present evil of Anti-Semitism spreading its tentacles over Australia and the whole world. Hannukah is an 8-day celebration, generally coinciding with the month of December also referred to as the Festival of Lights.
In the second century BC, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who tried to force the people of Israel to accept Greek culture and beliefs instead of remaining true to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was a horrendous time where Israel faced annihilation. Against all odds, a small band of faithful but poorly armed Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, driving their enemies from the land and reclaiming the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, rededicating it to the service of God in 165BC. When the priests sought to light the Temple's Menorah (the seven-branched candelabrum), only a single cruse of olive oil was found that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. When the priests lit the menorah with only one-day supply of oil, miraculously it burned for 8 days until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.
At the heart of Hanukkah is the nightly menorah lighting over a period of 8 days. The menorah holds nine flames, one of which is the shamash, the servant candle, a picture of God / Jesus, which is used to kindle the other eight lights. On the first night, they light just one flame. On the second night, an additional flame is lit. By the eighth night of Hannukah, all eight lights are kindled. Hanukkah celebrates the faithfulness of God to the Jewish people, declaring His miraculous provision and that Light triumphs over darkness. Jesus Himself celebrated Hannukah, in the New Testament it is referred to as the Feast of Dedication. [John 10:22-24] The life and culture of Jesus is Jewish. In a world where replacement theology and the evil of Anti-Semitism remain widespread it is important we remember everything Jesus did was essentially Jewish. Jesus embodies the ultimate fulfillment of Hannukah. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made. In Him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it…The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John 1:4-5, 9
It is no wonder the darkness of Satan’s work was manifested on the first day of Hannukah 2025 at Bondi but as the festival of lights reminds us, darkness will never triumph over Light. Today, darkness wears many faces, all empowered by the same spiritual evil and hostility towards Israel and the Jewish people, hostility towards Jesus and His blood bought bride, both Jew and Gentile along with the Truth of God’s Word.
As Christians Hannukah should be a reminder to us of God’s amazing miracles in our own lives as we look back and be grateful for the past year and rededicate our lives afresh to the Lord Jesus Christ, the True Light of the World and our Deliverer. In an age where darkness grows more emboldened, believers in Jesus must shine with renewed and rededicated conviction. We must shine as a faithful remnant in a darkening world and may we pray, support and stand with the Jewish people and encourage them.
The prophet Jeremiah said this about God’s commitment to Israel. This is what the LORD says: "Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done," declares the LORD. Jer 31:37
As darkness spreads like a canopy over this world may we remember: The night is nearly over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. Rom 13:12 and Be very careful, then how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Eph 5:15-16
Greg and Judy’s Update: Judy and I are very grateful for the prayerful and financial support and encouragement of you our prayer warriors. We are looking forward to another year of co-labouring together for the work of God’s Kingdom as we proclaim the prophetic Truth of God’s Word. We are still waiting upon the Lord for His provision of a home to purchase. We are currently making ministry plans for 2026.
We have established a You Tube channel and have put two of our messages on it as a trial to see how effective this tool can be in furthering the truth of God’s Word.
Israel, the Apple of God’s Eye please use the following link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFr48XonNb8
The Rapture please us this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l213KVGxE50
You can also put in the search bar of you tube GREGORY WILLIS@TIMELINE 1958. Click on the G, which will bring up the two messages. After you have viewed the messages, we would encourage you to pass the links onto others.
Prayer Points:Pray for our Federal and NSW State Government to have the wisdom, desire and courage in dealing with the Anti-Semitism that plagues our nation. Uphold the Jewish community in Australia who have experienced a great surge in persecution and hatred since October 7, 2023, and for the return of the final hostage body.
Pray for the Lord’s wisdom and direction as we make ministry plans for 2026 and your ongoing prayers for the provision of a new home and a ministry base in Parkes NSW.
We know a number of our prayer warriors face very challenging circumstances, Judy and I pray the Lord will meet all your needs, for He is the Good Shepherd, Jehovah Jireh our provider and may the blessing and provision of the Lord be abundantly manifested over you.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10